CEO: Blue Cross Partnering to Address Urgent Issues of Child Abuse, Neglect
Daniel J. Loepp
| 3 min read
Daniel J. Loepp is President and Chief Executive Off...
Child abuse and neglect are urgent public health issues across the country, including in Michigan. The statistics are sobering. A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds in the United States and at least 1 in 7 children has experienced abuse or neglect in the past year. These experiences early in life can often contribute to negative outcomes later in life; but there is hope. Forty years ago, Michigan’s leaders came together to create the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) – the state’s chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America to address these critical issues. It is a beacon and a voice for thousands of Michigan children and families that promotes their health, safety and welfare by funding local programs and services that help to prevent abuse and neglect.
- CTF is Michigan’s only statewide nonprofit organization fully dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
- CTF programs and services reach all 83 Michigan counties.
- In 2021 alone, CTF reached nearly 94,000 children through primary prevention services such as universal education, training and parent education.
Every year, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan chooses a signature charity where we fully commit as a corporation to help raise money for the cause. We chose CTF as our charitable focus for 2022 and have implemented a yearlong campaign devoted to the organization. Our company is compelled to do our part to bring awareness and support to CTF and help provide hope for children and families facing these experiences. As part of our efforts, we’re sponsoring CTF’s key fundraiser: the 20th annual Pam Posthumus Signature Auction at Michigan State University’s Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing on May 17, 2022. This year’s event aims to raise $550,000 for CTF to support and build awareness of its programs and resources. My wife Amy Tattrie Loepp and I are pleased to serve as co-chairs of this year's Signature Auction because CTF is very important to our family -- Amy also serves as chair of CTF’s Board of Directors. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and CTF are committed to bringing child abuse prevention to the forefront. Together, we’re engaging local and statewide stakeholders to identify areas of need for families facing difficult challenges and children in danger of harm. Additionally, in recognition of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, we’re working with state-wide community partners to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect. This important cause will be acknowledged in many ways throughout Michigan, from building lights turning blue to pinwheel gardens across the state. I encourage you to learn more about CTF, its efforts to end child abuse and where its programs and services can be found near your community by visiting michigan.gov/ctf. Daniel J. Loepp is president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
